New Base Pan For Sentria

[kirbyotronic]

Kirby has announced a new polymer base pan that will reduce the weight of the Kirby by one pound.

"This high-strength, structural polymer is the same material used in many car engines, outboard boat engines and seat belts. In fact, this type of material is used in the luxury Porsche Boxster automobile manifold. After more than 7500 hours of use the test base pans outperformed the existing base pans."

In my opinion, I think this is a mistake.

~Alex

 

[vintagehoover]

I'm interested...

If it's lighter and more durable, why do you consider it a mistake?

 

[kirbyotronic]

More changes...

As part of our continuing pursuit to improve our product, The Kirby Company is launching a new, easier to install disposable filter bag. Featuring new, patent pending technology, the “Functional Fit,” or F-Style bags as they are called, will be packed with the Sentria® home care system by year’s end.

Although the Kirby Company will continue to support the current twist-style filter system, the F-Style bags are so much simpler to use that Distributors are encouraged to retrofit previously sold Generation units as a complimentary service.
To help you identify which style of filter bags a unit has during the changeover (F-style or twist-style) , the 3-in-1 cartons and the single boxes of new units will be marked with a yellow serial number label and the letter “F.”





This new bag and adaptor looks similar to the Oreck vacuum bag loading system. I have not seen one, only a flier with an artists rendition.


The adaptor top will retail for about $10.00 and the bags for a bit more than current bags. They will be available in Micron Magic, Micron Magic HEPA, and Poly. Right now they are only available in Poly and Kirby is out of stock. LOL.


It will probably take a couple of weeks to use existing inventory of machines with the old style bags, and by then the Poly bags will be in stock.

Jack, I do not think this polymer base is worth it, it only reduces 1 pound. After this, Kirby is probably going to add more plastic parts and start production in China. Hopefully this is not going to happen, otherwise I will be very, very sad.

 

[tolivac]

Shame on them!!Stick with the metal chassis.Plastic ages less gracefully than metal-plastic suffers from aging cracks and warpage-The integerity of the machine is at stake here-abandon the plastic base.Already there IS TOO much plastic in high end vacuums.Also metal is a more "green" material-Why? its more easily recycled-plastic ends up in the landfills.And it sheds only a pound of weight--forget it- not worth it.Maybe Kirby should try going to Magnesium--lighter and stronger than aluminun-and of course recycles easily at end of products life.

 

[ohio_tuec]

Kirby Base Pan/Volkswagen 412

Magnesium, maybe not. It's a highly flammable metal. I have a 1974 Volkswagen 412 with a magnesium engine block. When I bought it, it has been the victim of a fire. It was Volkswagen's "Edsel." Not many were sold, and by 1980, most were already in the scrapyards. But getting back to Kirby, it would definitely be a mistake to make the base pan out of plastic. Having to support the drive wheels and transmission, I can see them cracking fairly easily. I've questioned Kirbys cost-cutting practices since the Generation 3 was released. I've seen at least 2 Generation 3's where the metal actually formed a mildew on it. You would buff it out, and a week or so later, it came back. How can that be pure aluminum? I even contacted Kirby about this, but since I was not the original owner, they elected to do nothing. I think that's why some of us vac collectors consider the Legend II the last of the "good" Kirbys.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Type_4

 

[kirbysthebest]

I say NO to plastic.

Kirby has been sneeking more and more plastic into their machines and I do not approve. A Kirby is an all metal machine and should remain so.

Now if they want to extend their rebuild agreement to cover broken parts, they may be able to pull it off a little easier. I would still vote no if I had any say.

 

[vinvac]

I have to agree, I have no desire to own the new Sentria simply due to the amount of new plastic in the machine. I think they would be smarter to come out with a new line of small head, non-self propelled models. Also they need to go back to the orginal style of tools.

While we vistited the factory in August I was amazed at the quality control that goes into thier products. I can only be hopeful that they have tested the plastics and know what the stress and wear factors are.

Self propelled doesn't do anything for me. Hoover, Kirby, Sears or Eureka, I have used them all. Hoover and Sears were probably the worst as far as being jerky and hard to use. Kirby was at least smooth, but the transmission noise drives me nuts...now Eureka in my opinion probably has the best self propelled action out of any I have used...again this is just personal preferance...

But the truth of the matter is, if you use any vacuum properly, have it adjusted properly, you should not need the self propelled feature...

Now I am just rambling...plastic verses metal...metal all the way.

Morgan

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Any one have pics of the new bags etc?

James

 

[centralvacs1928]

If the new Kirby bag system is similar to the Oreck bag dock system, wouldn't that make it also similar to the original Style 1 bag system used on the Tradition?

Because that was a failure...

I suppose Kirby is in a rather difficult situation, though, in that they've made such a great vacuum cleaner (with such a great track record, all in all), that any changes they do make are just "screwing with what already works". But then, if they make no changes, dealers are forced to just sell the "same old thing".

Oh well, I guess they've gotten pretty good at selling the same thing in different colors for the past fifteen years now...

 

[ohio_tuec]

Almost the last 20 years. My guess is Kirby is going to have to modify the main casting soon, and introduce a completely new model. The "Classic" body style had a 20-year run (1970-1990), so I figure the Generation series will be on its way out soon. I'm in agreement with Morgan, maybe Kirby should return to its roots and offer a small-head, non power-drive model. And offer a power-drive model to those who want it. Whatever they decide, I'm sure the new model's gonna be sporting more plastic. I know, I cringe at the thought....

 

[tolivac]

Yes magnesium may be flammable-but that applies to the dust and shavings from machining .A casting for a vacuum cleaner,motor block,etc you don't have as much worry-did you relieze that the wing spars used on most airliners is---Magnesium.Magnesium is the mainstay of the aerospace,avaition and racing car industries becuase of its light weight and strength.Tristar Mg1,Mg2 have bodies made of magnesium-don't think I will worry about them catching fire.
On second thouight-the material Kirby is planning to use is really not plastic-if its used for high temp applications such a race car motor exhaust manifolds-the material is an "engineering ceramic"It starts out as a plastic-but when heated for its final stage in a high temp kiln-you then have a ceramic.this may not be so bad-this would be a better stronger,material than lexan.May even be good for fans.The material is used for aircraft and race car motor turbocharger fans and drive turbines.The exhaust of the engine turns the turbine-and the fan in a separate casting.The fan-turbine rotor can be fabricated as one part.So if it is an engineering cermic-it could be a GOOD thing.-but bet it will be EXPENSIVE-more so than the metal base chassis.

 

[swingette]

The various metal castings of the g-series are very well designed, and lightweight. Its that damn drive system that adds the tonnage! And it was those overweight Classic-era castings that inspired the addition of a drive system, it seems.

The Royal machines of the 70s and 80s have proven that an all-metal machine can be both lightweight and durable.

Imagine the next generation of Kirbys as a redesigned Sanitronic style, but with the lightweight castings of today. We could even have a return of the Sani-Emptor, but constructed of Lexan. IMO a return of the emptor option would be a hit with consumers looking for a bagless machine.

Kirby would be foolish to add too much plastic, IMO. One of Kirbys best assets is the polished aluminum construction. Not only is it attractive, but it sets them apart from other cleaner manufacturers.

 

[tolivac]

I think it would be a good idea for Kirby to "return to its roots"but lets keep the metal Sani-emptor-just redesign the gaskets on it so there is no dirt leakage-when I sold TriStars-you could see the dirt leakage from Sani-emptors on older Kirbys-you used the bright "photo light"On new Kirbys you don't see ANY dirt leakage.Again with modern casting methods-the metal Sani Emptors can be just as light as some plastic ones-but stronger and more durable.I too admire the lightweight metal Royals-the new ones today are just as light-no need for the transmission.I feel the Kirby attachments should go to metal-and GET RID of that HORRIBLE combo bare floor carpet tool.Provide a separate metal carpet and bare floor tools with lightweight metal extending wands.And oh yes-with modern metal anodization methods-you can ad COLOR to the metal castings-colorful Kirbys as well as shiny ones.